The Environmental Protection Agency is allowing the sale of higher-ethanol gasoline blends ahead of summer in an effort to ease rising fuel prices.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said on Wednesday that the agency has issued emergency waivers to allow E15 gasoline sales, temporarily exempting the fuel from restrictions meant to limit smog. E15 is a fuel that blends 15% ethanol with gasoline, compared with the more common E10 blend, which contains 10%. EPA’s waiver will go into effect on May 1, allowing the fuel industry to transition the fuel.
The move is part of an effort to provide relief at the gas pump for Americans, who are seeing gasoline prices rise because of the conflict with Iran.
“EPA is working with our federal partners to reduce unnecessary costs and uncertainty and ensure that gas prices remain affordable for all Americans through the summer,” Zeldin said. “This emergency action will provide American families with relief by increasing fuel supply and consumer choice.”
The EPA, under the Clean Air Act, has the authority to issue waivers for E15. The Trump administration has previously issued waivers of E15 fuel in 2025 ahead of the summer. The Biden administration also issued several waivers before the summer season.
President Donald Trump campaigned on lowering energy costs for the public, but the war in Iran has pushed oil and gas prices higher ahead of the summer travel season. The national average gas price at the pump is about $3.98, versus $2.97 a month ago, according to AAA.
E15 gasoline is currently not sold year-round because of environmental concerns, as it can create more smog.
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Separately, House lawmakers are negotiating whether to allow a year-round sale of E15. The House established the “E-15 Rural Domestic Energy Council” task force to negotiate the sale of E15, after members failed to agree on including such a provision in the most recent spending bill.
Republican lawmakers from oil states and corn states have been divided, as farm groups push for year-round sale, arguing it would boost demand for corn, a key ingredient. Meanwhile, small refiners generally oppose year-round E15, citing economic challenges associated with complying with higher ethanol mandates.
